[All Platforms][Music] HiFi Quality - Lossless Streaming 16bit 44.1khz

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

** please don't lump this suggestion with the main one on lossless downloads, that's a different idea entirely guys!

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

[timiambeing]

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

[mctesterson]

Meanwhile, I'm listening to the new remaster of Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic on Qobuz in 192kHz / 24-bit sound quality, that is among their dozens of new releases this Friday, and it sounds incredibly good.

Stop wasting your time with Spotify, everyone.  Your listening life is too short to waste on cr*ppy sound quality.

[schjano]

Ok. Bye!

 

[danisnug]

I believe this topic has been circling around for a while, but let me bring to your attention again about the lossless audio. I've been a good subscriber since 2015, a time when the service was not even formally introduced in the part of the world where I live. With terrible regret, my loyalty has to come to an end a year ago when I tried to get myself into the lossless audio space. For those who haven't got the chance to try, I had to tell you that the level of detail is miles better even when proper lossless audio equipment was not in the equation. This has become a hassle for me because the outcome of abandoning my favorite platform means that I need to reorganize my playlists, re-learn to use a new platform and push myself to bond with an unfamiliar ecosystem. In the end, a part of me misses having a great experience through thoughtfully crafted UI/UX and on-point algorithm that connects me with things that I don't even know I liked it.

I really do wish to come back, but it will be only just a dream with the current offering. I believe most of us won't matter if the added service has to come with a price hike.

Hope to hear good news soon.

[PaulMac]

So the main music streaming services available at the moment are (in no particular order):

1. Apple Music
2. Deezer
3. Amazon Music Unlimited
4. Qobuz
5. Tidal
6. YouTube Music
7. Spotify

If you care about audio quality move to any of services listed 1 to 5 above. They all offer CD quality (or better) audio as part of their standard package.

If you DON'T care about audio quality then stick with Spotify or YouTube. You also get the bonus with Spotify of an increasingly clutterered UI and lots of exposure to podcasts and audiobooks, whether you want it or not.

[LawLee]

It's absurd that they prioritize podcasts when you enter the interface. I think it's kind of like supermarkets that put things in the front that they want to sell. Daniel Ek clearly is trying to direct people there to podcasts so that he bumps up their listening numbers to can justify the stupid mistake he made and adding this to what should be a music service. 

[bart1981]

Al those app updates and still no hifi 🤦🏻

[De-M-oN]

Summer 2023 and it is still only compressed audio, right?

This will keep me staying at Tidal honestly. (I have the 3 months free plan to try out Spotify)

But Tidal has one issue: You can like only 10000 songs, and apparently this limit doesnt exist here.

But compressed files is holding me back.

If you offer lossless I would consider changing to you. You probably have much bigger ressources than Tidal has and you dont offer lossless unlike Tidal which is really disappointing.

[mctesterson]

Their Q2 2023 financial statement clearly states that they've made multiple moves to reorient their business toward podcasts (thus, away from music).

So they have fewer employees, and for those who remain, they are choosing to focus more on podcasts.

Those who care about music over podcasts (unless you're a Joe Rogan fan) should see the message clearly: Leave Spotify and find a streaming service that cares about music, music fans, and high-quality sound.  Spotify strategically cares less about all of those things!

https://s29.q4cdn.com/175625835/files/doc_financials/2023/q2/1eb37b78-b453-4891-935f-52c06e4ea670.pd...

On January 23, 2023, the Company announced a reorganization to streamline our organizational structure and reduce our operating costs. As part of such reorganization, we reduced our employee base by approximately 6% across the Company. Additionally, during the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company executed a strategic realignment and reorganization plan focusing on podcast operations and to rationalize our content portfolio.

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[mctesterson]

Reading more of the financial statement, exposure the risk related to sloppy or insufficient adherence to music copyrights / licenses has also been biting them, and is likely another reason Spotify is stepping away from music as a focus.

We can only hope that other music streaming services have watched and learned from Spotify's mistakes, and have taken more prudent steps to protect themselves from similar risks of lawsuits.

Various legal actions, proceedings, and claims are pending or may be instituted or asserted against the Group. The results of such legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the extent of the Group's financial exposure is difficult to estimate. The Group records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
As of April 2019, the Group's settlement of the Ferrick et al. v. Spotify USA Inc., No. 1:16-cv-8412-AJN (S.D.N.Y.), putative class action lawsuit, which alleged that the Group unlawfully reproduced and distributed musical compositions without obtaining licenses, was final and effective. Even with the effectiveness of the settlement, we may still be subject to claims of copyright infringement by rights holders who have purported to opt out of the settlement or who may not otherwise be covered by its terms. The Music Modernization Act of 2018 contains a limitation of liability with respect to such lawsuits filed on or after January 1, 2018. Rights holders may, nevertheless, file lawsuits, and may argue that they should not be bound by this limitation of liability. For example, in August 2019, the Eight Mile Style, LLC et al v. Spotify USA Inc., No. 3:19-cv-00736-AAT, lawsuit was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, alleging both that the Group does not qualify for the limitation of liability in the Music Modernization Act and that the limitation of liability is unconstitutional and, thus, not valid law. The Group intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit, including plaintiffs' challenges to the limitation of liability in the Music Modernization Act.

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[Visionary1]

Yeah, there has been a drive by Spotify and also Apple towards podcasts.  Which is fine. However, there are better and flexible platforms and free like Overcast.  So I can’t get Rogan, there are plenty of other entertaining and informative podcast shows out there plus not tied to corporate mega institutions.   My patience is running out and my just go Qobuz